Town, MAC disagree on airport grant language

TBP

Friday

Mar 21, 2008 at 2:00 AMMar 21, 2008 at 2:05 AM

The Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission wants assurance that the town of Barnstable won’t change the authority of its airport commission as part of a $1.73 million planning and design grant for the new terminal project.

Meeting to resolve issues set for March 26

The Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission wants assurance that the town of Barnstable won’t change the authority of its airport commission as part of a $1.73 million planning and design grant for the new terminal project. The town wants that that provision removed and has yet to accept the grant. In the meantime, the airport commission is unable to sign a contract for the work, pushing he project behind. In December, the Barnstable Municipal Airport Commission received a $1,729,600 million planning and design grant for its new terminal project, but the town manager’s office has yet to accept the funds. The disagreement will be the subject of a meeting Wednesday between the town, airport and representatives from the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission, which issued the grant. At issue are some of the assurances sought by MAC, some dealing with the accounting of the grant, but the larger one focusing on the authority and powers of the airport commission. MAC wants the town to agree to not to take any action to reorganize the airport commission, “or in any way interfere with the autonomy and authority of the airport commission.” Under the terms of the proposed grant, if the airport commission is changed, the town could be required to give back the $1.73 million. That’s something that Klimm said the town can’t be in a position to face. Town Manager John Klimm said that, “it’s ludicrous on its face,” but added that it’s outside his authority. "The significance at this time is that we have a charter commission," Klimm said. "We shouldn't be signing documents that give away authority that I can't give away." That language has become standard to grants awards, according to a MAC official. Reference to similar language is referenced in a 2002 Martha’s Vineyard Times story about a lawsuit against the Vineyard airport commission. This language has also been part of recent grant acceptance documents approved by Barnstable for other projects. The $32 million terminal project is on a tight budget, and the business plan approved by the commission requires that this grant, essentially free money, is in place. It is also the leading edge of money from MAC, which has committed $15 million to the construction of the terminal. Klimm said that if agreement cannot be reached on the language, the town is not in a position to provide those funds. The March 26 meeting was arranged by state Senator Rob O’Leary. Klimm said that he’s hopeful that an understanding can be reached. In an interview Thursday, airport manager Quincy “Doc” Mosby was not certain what the specific issue was, but believed it had to do with concerns about the town’s charter. “I just want the terminal project to move. That’s my concern,” Mosby said. He said that the design phase is about three months behind where it was expected to be. Town Attorney Ruth Weil said she could not comment on the issue. During his appearance before the Barnstable Charter Commission in January, Town Manager John Klimm asked that consideration be given to folding the commission into the town’s management structure. He said that it would make more sense for coordinated planning and facilities management. “My concern is that the airport is a major operation in this town," Klimm told the charter commission. In the past, MAC has expressed concern over proposed changes to the authority of the Barnstable Airport Commission. Twice the town council has sent items to the ballot seeking to bring the control of the airport under the town manager’s office. It was rejected both times. Klimm has expressed frustration with changing information coming from airport management in the past. As the airport commission sought the town council’s support for the new terminal project, Klimm was at a loss on how to advise the council. "I have a problem with the integrity and the credibility of this entire process,” he told the council at its Sept. 27 meeting. Klimm has had problems with MAC in the past, specifically with the opening of the Marstons Mills Airfield after it came into town ownership. Airport Working Its Way Back to CC Commission Since receiving Cape Cod Commission approval for the last year, the size and scale of the new terminal project has changed. Mosby said that revised traffic plans are being developed for a return meeting with the commission to modify the development of regional impact approval. That is on a different track from the design and planning stage funding out of the MAC grant.

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